[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 40 (Thursday, March 2, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Pages S634-S635]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       REMEMBERING DAN CAMILLIERE

 Mr. MURPHY. Madam President, I rise today to honor the memory 
of Mr. Dan Camilliere, who passed away earlier this year. Dan was a 
beloved husband, father, grandfather, pharmacist, State senator, and 
mayor who spent his

[[Page S635]]

life dedicated to improving his beloved communities of Wethersfield and 
Hartford.
  Born in Hartford in 1922, Dan spent his childhood there, attending 
Hartford Public schools, and graduating from the University of 
Connecticut College of Pharmacy in 1943. Shortly after his graduation, 
Dan enlisted in the U.S. Army. He was deployed to Paris, France, to the 
217th General Hospital where he served on a medical train that carried 
wounded soldiers from Germany to France. After his service in World War 
II, Dan was honorably discharged in 1946 and returned to Hartford to 
continue serving those within his community as a pharmacist.
  Upon his return to Hartford, he met his wife Rose DiSilvestro. After 
a short courtship, Dan and Rose would go on to marry, forming a 
lifelong bond that would continue for 66 loving years and would see 
them raise their daughter and son. Wherever he lived, Dan made a 
lasting impression. He was always immaculately dressed even when mowing 
the lawn, had a knack for building positive relationships with people 
from all walks of life, and was a great conversationalist.
  In 1948, Dan and his brother-in-law opened their own pharmacy in 
Hartford, Rialto Pharmacy. Besides providing his knowledge and 
expertise to the public, Rialto Pharmacy turned into a hub for the 
area's Italian immigrants. Dan helped explain what each medication was 
and provided flexible payment plans for any immigrants that needed it. 
Dan's work in retail led him to pursue a second passion: retail 
politics. Dan was tapped by the Hartford powerbrokers to run for the 
city council. He was elected and became the youngest person to hold the 
seat at the time. This began Dan's long career in service to the 
community which would continue until his final days.
  As a public servant, Dan was truly exceptional. After ably serving on 
the Hartford City Council, Dan was elected to the State senate, 
becoming public health chair where he championed the fluoridation of 
drinking water and screenings for newborns. He later became chief of 
the drug division for the State of Connecticut's Department of Consumer 
Protection.
  The Camillieres moved to Wethersfield in 1970 where Dan and Rose 
raised their family. After Dan sold the pharmacy, he ran for the 
Wethersfield Town Council, serving as secretary for 17 years and, 
later, proudly served for two terms as mayor. Dan's trademark smile 
presided over town meetings on building new schools, repairing old 
buildings, and setting water rates. He was a regular sight at town 
Memorial Day parades and was a mentor to many in politics, serving on 
the Democratic State Central Committee.
  I count myself as very lucky to have met Dan during my formative 
years in politics. I was probably only 16 when I first shook his hand, 
and I remember with perfect clarity being put in charge of campaign 
lawn sign distribution as a 17-year-old volunteer for the Wethersfield 
Democrats. It was in that job where I discovered that no one had more 
friends--and more prime front lawn sites--in Wethersfield than Dan 
Camilliere. He treated me wonderfully during those early years. To me, 
he was the model American man--invested in his community, putting 
service over self, modeling responsible entrepreneurship. I think I 
decided to go into politics as a profession because of the example Dan 
Camilliere set in my hometown.
  In reflection of the loss of a decorated public servant, veteran, 
husband, father, grandfather, and advocate for the communities of 
Hartford and Wethersfield, CT, I ask my colleagues to join me in 
recognizing and honoring the life of Dan Camilliere.

                          ____________________